6 soldiers killed in clash with Abu Sayyaf in Basilan
MANILA, Philippines — Six soldiers, including one junior Army officer, were killed in clashes with Abu Sayyaf in Basilan on Sunday morning, the military said.
A team of soldiers from the 64th Infantry Battalion was on security patrol when they were caught in a firefight with about 20 heavily-armed militants led by a certain Radzmi Jannatul past 7a.m., said Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office chief.
The gun battle lasted for 45 minutes.
The soldiers were deployed to secure a development project, Cabunoc added.
Colonel Rolando Bautista, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, said reinforcements have been sent to pursue the bandits.
“I am saddened by this senseless violence against our soldiers who are helping deliver public services for the people,” Bautista said in a statement.
He said criminal charges will be filed against the group for harassing security forces deployed to protect workers of the 64-kilometer project, constructed with the assistance of the Saudi government.
Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said the soldiers were “providing security for the road concreting projects.”
“I am saddened by this fresh violence,” Jumoad said.
A Philippine Daily Inquirer’s source from the intelligence community said the soldiers’ firearms and personal belongings were taken by the suspected Abu Sayyaf men. With reports from Kristine Sabillo, INQUIRER.net and Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
Originally posted at 12:55 pm | Sunday, November 2, 2014
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